Dog Behavior – Why Dog Howls

There is no fixed meaning to dog howls but there are multiple stimuli which trigger this behavior.

Psychological factors: Anxiety, stress and loneliness
The dog howls to express their pain. The pain they feel may be physiological or psychological. They express their stress, vocal signal as bound in their genetics, identify their psychological need. Since by nature dog is friendly and pack animal hence loneliness can be very painful. Its in their nature to contribute to their pack, and guard them, protect them.

Dog is man’s best friend made by Frederick, King of Prussia in 1789.
The New-York Literary Journal, Volume 4, 1821 – citation on Dog as human friend (source – Wikipedia)

The faithful dog – why should I strive
To speak his merits, while they live
In every breast, and man’s best friend
Does often at his heels attend

In your case, it might be physical. It may be the reason that she is uncomfortable in her collar and leash. Try nylon dog collar and dogleash (Lollipops Nylon Ribbon Leash). Check your dog crate bed; Is he sleeping properly?

Crate, beds (Outlast Dog Crate Bed, Classy Go Soft Crate)

Physiological factors: Injury and painWe humans, weep/cry when are in pain. Dog howls when they are in pain. You can consider checking him by your veterinarian. Check their collar, observe the signs of the discomfort. They may have pain in their leg, or some recent activity and exercise has brought muscular pain. Check their bed, crate; Are they sleeping properly?

You will soon realize that it not something serious but minor changes can bring them comfort and will solve the problem.

Alerting you or alarming youIt might be a sign from your dog alerting you of some stimuli (siren, crash or other external/environmental stimuli). Since they have a protective nature, they always signal you, any unusual activity which prompts them and urge the need or feel danger or something that they can’t understand.

Attention seeking and an expression of anxietyIt comes under psychological factors but I have added it separately because you should understand since it might occur time to time in everyday life as being a pet owner. The dog has natural need of bonding and seeking attention. When they get it quite often they behave naturally. But if you have recently shifted to new place, new environment or family member/members has moved out; your dog will feel emptiness. If he won’t get the opportunity to express it, it will create anxiety and might behave anxiously.
Get more friends, take him to a walk, be playful. Introduce them to children in a park. If you have kids, expand their social circle and so will your dog.

Protective nature, defense mechanize and boundary demarcationHis protective nature, its their defense mechanism and a expression of them saying you are not invited.

Some dog breeds howls more than others, include Alaskan Malamutes, American Eskimo Dogs, Beagles, Coonhounds, Huskies (Alaskan and Siberian), Native American Indian Dogs

Behavior Training Dog in their nature has need to follow, train they to be obedient. “Heal and sit”, “come away”, “throw and pick” is a good behavior modifier and they learn to follow command. Treat/reward him (bacon strips) him for good behavior and come strongly when they exhibit unwanted behavior. When you train him regularly, command and control them, they will learn and only asking them to stop will do the trick.